Astros report: Villar to return in upcoming series with Rangers

Rookie shortstop Jonathan Villar, who suffered a sprained left thumb Tuesday attempting to steal a base, is expected to be ready to return at some point during the series against the Rangers.

“The only player that’s not 100 percent is Villar,” GM Jeff Luhnow said. “We’re expecting him to return to play this weekend. … He’ll be wearing a splint when he’s not playing just to make sure he doesn’t bang it on something.”

Appel decision coming soon

Mark Appel, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft, is set to make one more start with Class A Quad Cities before the Astros decide if he’ll make another move up the system, Jeff Luhnow said.

“We’re very encouraged with his last start,” Luhnow said of Appel, who pitched five strong innings Tuesday against Cedar Rapids to earn his first pro victory.

Luhnow noted Appel “probably has only got four or five starts left in him” before the team shuts him down for the season.

It’s night and day for Grossman

Rookie left fielder Robbie Grossman is hitting .472 since his return to the majors on July 26. He was hitting just .198 in his first Astros stint before being sent to Oklahoma City at the end of May.

“It’s amazing to see the adjustments which he was able to make from his first stint to his second stint here,” Astros manager Bo Porter said. “Obviously, he’s playing with a lot of confidence, and it’s exciting to see.”

Veras sorely missed in pen

Since trading closer Jose Veras to Detroit (for minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez), the Astros have had five save opportunities and blown four of them, including Wednesday’s ninth-inning meltdown against the Red Sox.

Since the trade, the bullpen has an ERA of 6.58 and has allowed five home runs in 26 innings.

In 51⁄3 innings with the Tigers, Veras has allowed only one walk and no hits or runs.

Vasquez is batting .308 in his first nine games in Quad Cities.

Porter receives first heave-ho

Bo Porter was ejected for the first time this season in Wednesday’s 7-5 loss to the Red Sox.

The first-year manager was arguing a Jason Castro strikeout in the ninth inning. The Astros thought Castro got a foul tip.

“The point that I made to the umpire is it’s too big of a play and too big of a moment not to check,” Porter said.